Queensland Premier Rejects Victoria Park Stadium Plan, Opts for QEII Stadium Instead

The Premier of Queensland, Steven Miles, has made a significant decision to reject the recommendation for a new stadium at Victoria Park in Brisbane, opting instead to refurbish the old QEII Stadium at Nathan in the city’s south. The initial proposal for a $3.4 billion, 55,000-seat Olympic stadium at Victoria Park was put forward by a review panel led by former Brisbane lord mayor Graham Quirk.

However, after a cabinet meeting, Miles announced that the QEII Stadium, with a capacity of just 14,000 seats, would serve as Brisbane’s main Olympic venue. This decision, aimed at saving taxpayers money, goes against the recommendations of the review panel which also suggested the demolition of the Gabba for a new stadium at Victoria Park.

The rejection of the Victoria Park proposal raises questions about the future of sporting venues in Brisbane. While the Quirk review argued for a modern, tier-one stadium at Victoria Park, Miles cited the economic hardships faced by Queenslanders as a reason for choosing the more cost-effective option of refurbishing the QEII Stadium.

As part of the new plan, Suncorp Stadium has been designated to host the opening and closing ceremonies of the 2032 Olympics. Additionally, the Queensland Sports and Athletics Centre (QSAC) at Nathan will be redeveloped to accommodate athletics during the Games, while the Gabba will undergo refurbishments to host Olympic cricket.

Cedric Dubler, an Olympic decathlete, expressed support for the decision to revamp QSAC, highlighting its importance as a long-term athletics venue post-2032. The reconsideration of the Olympic venue plan marks a significant shift in the preparations for the 2032 Games in Brisbane.